Iron Works buys Art Van building

Wednesday

Sep 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Shawna Jankoviak Staff Writer, @sjankoviakCDT @sjankoviak

A growing metal fabrication and welding company in Onaway has purchased the former Art Van furniture store building and may use it for a trade school.
Moran Iron Works completed the purchase on Monday, Sept. 16, which also includes 31 adjacent acres. The building is located at 20902 Washington Street and was formerly occupied by Art Van Furniture and, prior to that, Brewbaker's Furniture.
Marilyn Kapp, public relations director for Moran Iron Works, said she would not disclose the purchase price.
She explained that Moran Iron Works is looking into a variety of uses for the building, including equipment storage, light manufacturing and a trade school.
Opening a trade school would help Moran Iron Works meet its need for additional employees.
“We pride ourselves in hiring and maintaining the most educated workforce in Northern Michigan,” Kapp said. “However, as we continue to grow our business and add to our workforce, we are challenged to find employee candidates that have the level of skill that is required to produce our products. Therefore, to meet our current workforce needs and the needs of our area for the future, we are considering the development of a trade school.”
Kapp said a trade school would help by providing continuing educational opportunities for noncollege-bound students, creating an educated workforce in the manufacturing sector and providing employment opportunities for qualified graduates.
“We hired a full time education director to work through all of the details for us,” Kapp said. “We will rely on her to educate us on the requirements, timelines and funding sources.”
The building is currently empty, but Kapp said that depending on its usage, Moran will add equipment and modify the footprint as necessary.
“We are putting new doors on one of the bays to house cranes for the winter — right now,” Kapp noted.
She said the property acquisition is part of the company's master plan that includes other recent purchases in Onaway. “The plan complements our impending growth strategy and fosters economic development in the downtown district,” Kapp said.
According to the Onaway Outlook, Moran Iron Works offers a welding course at its main facility on M-68 near Onaway. The night classes are administered and accredited through Alpena Community College. The company also has three certified welding instructors and currently has around 110 employees.